SINGAPORE: Curtain Set To Go Up At ITMA Asia

Nearly 800 companies from over 30 countries will take part in ITMA Asia - the region's largest textile machinery exhibition - when it opens it Singapore on Monday.

Up to 20,000 people are expected to attend the event at Singapore Expo although organisers, Meeting Planners, report a spate of cancellations due to fears surrounding international air travel security following the terrorist attacks in the US.

The exhibition will feature the latest in textile equipment and technology, with the thousands of local and foreign visitors expected to give the local economy a boost as they spend up to S$200 million on food, hotel accommodation and transport.

Evelyn Cholet, secretary general of CEMATEX, said, "We want to be closer to the region, and we expect a lot of buyers and visitors from the Asia Pacific region to attend the show."